The Adoration of the Shepherds

This work is based on the version Rembrandt painted earlier in 1646 for stadtholder Frederik Hendrik of the Dutch Republic.

Two shepherds kneel in front of the newborn child. Note that the light coming from the child is much stronger than the light from the lamp.

The use of the light gives the scene a great sense of intimacy. The quick, rough brushstrokes, the chatting bystanders and the kid playing with the dog make the atmosphere domestic and informal.